Other Matters	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Other Matters [Abstract]
Other Matters	Note 15: Other Matters Equity Investments Tata Ryerson Limited. The Company sold its 50 percent interest in Tata Ryerson Limited, a joint venture with Tata Steel Limited, an integrated steel manufacturer in India on July 10, 2009 to its joint venture partner. Tata Ryerson Limited, which was formed in 1997, is a metals service center and processor with processing facilities at Jamshedpur, Faridabad, and Ranjangaon, India. Prior to the sale, the Company accounted for this joint venture under the equity method of accounting. The Company received proceeds of $49 million for the transaction and recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2009. The Company's investment in this joint venture was not material to the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations. Automated Laser Fabrication Co., LLC. In 2011, the Company invested $0.8 million in Automated Laser Fabrication Co., LLC ("ALF") for a 38 percent equity interest. ALF is a steel processing company located in Streetsboro, Ohio. The Company accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company's investment in this joint venture is not considered material to the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Other Matters

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Note 15: Other Matters

Equity Investments

Tata Ryerson Limited. The Company sold its 50 percent interest in Tata Ryerson Limited, a joint venture with Tata Steel Limited, an integrated steel manufacturer in India on July 10, 2009 to its joint venture partner. Tata Ryerson Limited, which was formed in 1997, is a metals service center and processor with processing facilities at Jamshedpur, Faridabad, and Ranjangaon, India. Prior to the sale, the Company accounted for this joint venture under the equity method of accounting. The Company received proceeds of $49 million for the transaction and recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2009. The Company's investment in this joint venture was not material to the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Automated Laser Fabrication Co., LLC. In 2011, the Company invested $0.8 million in Automated Laser Fabrication Co., LLC ("ALF") for a 38 percent equity interest. ALF is a steel processing company located in Streetsboro, Ohio. The Company accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company's investment in this joint venture is not considered material to the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.